Position Title: Grants Coordinator

Location:  Hybrid Role (with GLCF office in Lowell, MA)                    

STATUS: Full Time

The Grants Coordinator reports to the VP for Marketing, Programs and Strategy and is responsible for the general administration of multiple Community Foundation grant programs, including annual grant cycles and responsive grant opportunities.

Barbara Dunsford, an experienced development executive and consultant, has joined the staff of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation as the Lowell High School Scholarship Officer tasked with creating individual, family and/or business legacy scholarships.

"The need for college financial support is great. Last year, GLCF awarded over $600,000 in 369 scholarships to 214 students" said GLCF President & CEO Jay Linnehan. "The foresight of 232 people establishing scholarships in perpetuity made this possible."

Dunsford is a passionate LHS graduate; she has been a 13 year volunteer reviewer of scholarship applications; an annual Honors Night presenter and funded her own plus a family scholarship during Covid. Along with her alum cohorts, over $26,000 has been raised for their annual class scholarship.

"Lowell High is producing awesome, hardworking students engaged in the school's extracurricular activities like sports, clubs, and volunteerism," shared Dunsford. "Many recipients are first-generation college bound. These scholarships invest in their dreams of higher education. Every student who applies for a scholarship receives a financial award."

Dunsford's work experience reflects her commitment to Greater Lowell nonprofits and their missions working at: Lowell General Hospital, UMass/Lowell, Notre Dame Academy/Tyngsboro, Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley (now AgeSpan), Lowell House, Girls Inc., GLCF and The Wish Project. Volunteering fills her "spare" time working with the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, the African Community Center, the Mahoney Family Fund.

Nancy Roberts recently joined the GLCF team as part-time Communications/Program Assistant to support Vice President for Marketing, Programs and Strategy Jennifer Aradhya. Her role will encompass a variety of tasks including research, editing and general administrative duties.

"We are thrilled to have Nancy join our team," shared Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy. "She joins us at a very exciting time at the foundation as we continue to grow and expand our reach to our 21 communities. Nancy's professional skills and deep knowledge of the community are a tremendous asset."

Nancy has worked for a number of years in the marketing and nonprofit fields, most recently as coordinator of The Sun Santa Fund for Lowell Sun Charities.

"I'm so happy for the opportunity to join Jay, Jennifer and the entire GLCF team! It's an honor to get to work with this group, and to get to watch first-hand how the generous spirit of the Greater Lowell community makes such an incredibly positive impact.'

Greater Lowell Community Foundation was pleased to serve as fiscal sponsor for the Collaboration Khmer New Year Celebration. Three hundred fifty people attended this Year of the Dragon gala held on April 6th at the Olympic Restaurant. Proceeds will help support Cambodian community events throughout the year.

The Women Working Wonders Fund (WWWF), a component fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, held its 20th Anniversary celebration brunch on April 7 at Four Oaks Country Club. In recognition of the 20th anniversary, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation generously offered to match all funds raised, up to $20,000. With the support of the Foundation, WWWF raised nearly $60,000 during the month-long celebration. Founded in 2004 by a group of like-minded women seeking to harness the power of collective philanthropy, the Women Working Wonders Fund has grown to an endowment of nearly $1.5 million and has distributed nearly $500,000 in grants to assist women in transition, provide leadership development for women and girls, and contribute to the beautification of the environment. Learn more at www.womenworkingwondersfund.com. 

Pictured, from left: Jay Linnehan, GLCF Executive Director; Marcia Cassidy, WWWF President; Janinne Nocco, GLCF Controller and Administrative Officer; Kathleen Sullivan, WWWF Vice President; and Howard Amidon, GLCF Vice President for Philanthropy. 

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell (HFHGL) received a 2023 GLCF Discretionary Grants Cycle for Elder Services Grant to assist with its Seniors Living Safely at Home program.

From their grant report: Diana W. is a 77-year-old Dracut resident, who gives back to the local community by working the polls on Election Day and volunteering time at the International Institute of New England. She suffers from severe osteoarthritis in her hands and is unable to grip or squeeze objects. As a result, it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to open or close the windows and sliding doors in her condominium. This situation created a safety issue since the sliders are one of the primary means of egress in an emergency. The condo development is over 41 years old and as such, many of the windows have leaks, fogging between the panes and ice accumulation on the glass in the winter. Diana reached out for assistance from Habitat of Humanity of Greater Lowell in the fall of 2023 and was approved. HFHGL’s Critical Home Repair supervisor faced a challenge in finding a company that sold windows that would be easier to open at a reasonable price. After several months of research and planning, the project was completed in January. Diana is much happier knowing that she can easily and safely open her slider doors and windows and that they are more heat efficient as well.